Photographer's Note

This is the Poisoned Glen in Ireland's most northern county, Donegal. The glen was originally called Heavenly Glen by the Irish, but due to a miss-spelling by the English cartographer, it was erroneously re-named Poisoned Glen. The Irish word for "heavenly" is "neamh" and for "poisoned" it is "neimhe", The Poisoned Glen lies at the foot of Donegal's tallest mountain Errigal

This is one of the most beautiful and untouched areas of Donegal and certainly worth a visit. There are two songs I'd suggest as a soundtrack, depending on your taste in music. The first song is by Phil Coulter and sung by Sinead O'Connor called The Shores of The Swilly

The other song is by the second best thing to ever come out of Donegal, Rory Gallagher called I Fall Apart

Ciao Lisa,
I had the pleasure to visit Donegal twice for 3-4 days each time but I feel it was not enough. The people I met there, locals, they said it rains every 9 out of 10 days all year round so it was a bit discouraging. It was still one of those places which were magical even at the bad weather, although I felt I like I don't get enough benefit for the cost of travelling if it was raining because not all places were fun to visit during the rain.
This is a wonderful landscape photo with very interesting light and colors. It has a magical mood.
The mountains look huge here, very well framed.
Excellent work,
M

Hi Lisa,
Like a painting, a pretty landscape with great light, shape and texture, really excellent shot. I must get to Ireland one day and trace my roots, as well as all the other places of my ancestry (I'm a 'bitsa' lol).
Cheers
Justin

Hello Lisa,
A very striking picture based on the beautiful color combination of the grass and that mountains behind. The angle of the shot works well giving the scene excellent depth. Excellent work.
Have a nice evening,
Regards,
Maria

Ciao Lisa,
Such is often the history behind unwarranted name changes. I like the brooding atmosphere here and the light and shadow contrasts. The lighting is particularly effective across the foreground area. We did visit Dublin once but had to cancel a holiday in rural Ireland because it looked as if we were going to move house. Needless to say we didn't move at the time and didn't get round to arranging another trip before we moved to France. Pity, judging by this lovely view. Have just booked flights and a week's hotel in Sorrento for next June.

Hi lisa
Dried plant with yellow in the foreground, and mountains (coordinated and similar) and a blue sky with clouds in the background
Very beautiful, like a painting
Attractive combination
Very good job, congratulations
Have a nice day

Hello Lisa,
very beautiful and very spectacular view of this lovely Poisoned Glen . Wonderfully captured and presented the mountains view with the fog on the top. An execellent excuted this magnificent image.Splendid coloras, sharpness, clarity, fantastic POV and DOF as well fantastic. Love it. Awesome shot. Thanks for sharing.
Warm regards,
Barbara

You know, if it were not for the location tag, I would have instantly thought this to be New Zealand, it has that mnagical feeling that makes me expect an elf and a dwarf to appear on the horizon. I forget sometimes how barren and beautiful Ireland can be. I dont really know Donegal at all, so its a rare treat to see an image of Ireland like this without the little one off houses built somewhere in the scene. Beautiful combination of light and shadow too, and those clouds are class, really mystical. Cheers for this one :)
All the best
NOel

Hello Lisa! Very nice natural colors. I loved this shot. The haze in the background adds a fine mood.
WOW! excellent music,What a wonderful reflection. I also like the light, excellent POV. Enjoyed this shot a lot.Well done,
Thanks for sharing,,
Georgios

hi lisa,
donegal on a good day, beautiful. the sunlight touching the top of the mountain on the left is fantastic, while the band of cloud hivering over the ones in the background adds further interest to the scene. the golden colours of the grasses in the foreground are eye catching and immediately draw our attention to the image, while the layers of mountains crossing each other draw us further in to investigate the more subtle areas of the landscape. a real cracker.
have a lovely evening,
brian

Love the line of clouds here, Lisa - with the dark, shadowy mountains sandwiched between them and the beautifully lit grass and ground below. Really a great moment to transform this spot with available light.

History's full of these accidental names that have stuck, but this is the first I know of with that wide a disparity between intended and actual meanings!

Hello Lisa,
amazing view!the foreground lit up so beautifully by the sun contrasts really well with the mountains in the background covered with clouds and looking kind of "gloomy".'The contrast between these two parts of your composition is magnificent.Also the landscape itself is beautiful-barren,but so picturesque and captivating.Just love the unique mood of this scene were able to capture.
Warm regards
Krzysztof

Hey Lisa
So we're off to Ireland now!
you're really digging into your old gallery i see :)

heck, i've even forgotten that you traveled here a few years ago!

Funny story about the misplaced spelling of the "glen"
its a cool touch to the photo.
In your shot, I actually feel as if i'm standing right along that pathway, and i can feel the cold windy air striking through me - a fine atmospheric type of landscape that brings the viewer 'right in'

Hi Lisa - When I read your title, I was convinced I was going to read about the potato famine and English landlords. So .... your note came as a suprise and very interesting to read. Heavenly, the glen certainly is and as we are sort of half thinking of Ireland for 2013 worth noting. I really like the contrast between the colourful FG with yellow grasses and stones and the dark, mysterious mountains beyond. A lovely wild landscape where I can imagine the ancients trod. Warm regards Rosemary

Wow! This could be Scotland - but, then, it's not that far away, is it?

Your composition is excellent, the mountains making a most impressive background and the foreground rough land with an almost discernible pathway leading us from left foreground into the depth of the picture - even to a dark abyss.

But - as is so often the case with great pictures - it is the lighting which makes this one so special: the low angled, warm light which illuminates the yellow grasses so beautifully and also "models" the scattered stones and rocks on the valley floor in strong contrast to the darkly shaded mountainsides.

the low sun sculpts the yellow grass, and increases the shadows of the mountains (maybe too blue for the one at the center), the cloud over them gives a dramatic aspect. Is it a new unspoiled world?
Cheers
CLODO

Good day.
Nice view and a moment ...
Good image sharpness, contrast and perspective, beautiful colors.
Good content and composition, well demonstrated.
Beautiful nature.
Beautiful moment of light and shadow.
Have a nice day to rest, all the best for the weekend.
Good luck.
Paja.

Hello Lisa,
Untouched wild rural country, fabulous with morning light ( i only assume about that), with the fog-cloud hanging above, as white blanket.
That gave a beautiful blue tone over the ridge, contrast with the field in golden color in FG.
A fine nature's shot.
Enjoy the year-end weekend,
Ike